Rita's POVI didn't know when I fell asleep on the couch... With my phone carelessly on the floor.
I slowly opened my sleepy eyes and my glance stopped exactly at my mini wall clock.
" Christ! " I exclaimed and jumped up immediately.
10:25 am?
How can it be 10:25 am already? when I'm supposed to be at work by 9 am?
"Oh My God"
I stood up, confused about what to do first...
Is it to run into the bathroom or to quickly make my breakfast?
"What am I thinking of, Breakfast should be the latter or I should just forgo it," I said rushing into the bathroom, pulling off my undies and littering them on the floor.
Life of a spinster, I'm careless with my undies and panties.
No guy visiting is the key assurance.
*
I ran out of the bathroom almost immediately, sure that my body was no longer soapy, wet but yes! Clean.
I hurriedly put on simpler cloth; a baggy top and somewhat loose trousers that stopped exactly at my knee after all, my job does not require elegant or gorgeous dressing and it's not like I'm having a date with a boyfriend. Reasons why I should be lackadaisical with my mode of dressing,
*
I ran into Beauty and Cosmetic company. It's a big company that deals with the import and exchange of facial care products with younger industries. But there's a small studio department I work at before getting to the main offices where paperwork and computer work are done.
It's a little tad bit unfortunate that I do not work at the classy office but as a mere makeup artist etcetera in a small section.
"Hey! Calm down Rita" I bumped into Evelyn at the entrance.
Adam works in the male section, what he does is curl, perm, trim, or dye guys' hair and eyebrows etcetera whichever way they want it. Guys also have their special makeover and special way to look more handsome too.
We're in different sections but how we became so close, I don't really know but I vividly remember that Evelyn became close friends with him first and me being a good friend to Evelyn, I gotta move along with whoever she moves with. And that's it!
"Oh Goodness," I heaved a heavy sigh 'cos I've been running ever since I alighted from the cab.
"Relax" She patted my shoulder and giggled.
"You're lucky Mrs Blakeston is not around," She said leading me to my seat (our seat; we sit next to each other).
Mrs Blakeston is the owner of the studio, she is the managing director. Simply, our boss; a no-nonsense one at that.
I sighed again but this time, it was a heave of relief.
I just don't wanna regret why I choose to work here. Mrs. Blakeston is mean, she treats us like we're under 18 and anyone bold enough to confront her or dares not to follow the stupid company rules is surely ready to lose his or her wages.
"So why did you come to work late today, it's not as if you've got a man who doesn't want you to leave him. " Evelyn teased me and I rolled my eyes at her.
She's fond of disturbing me to get a man ~ just like my parents.
"You know what Rita, A man won't walk up to you when you are dressed like this. Baggy and not sexy. Duh," Evelyn said, she stood in front of me and accessed what I was putting on, disappointedly shaking her head.
"Seriously Evelyn! It's not like guys don't come my way. I don't feel a thing for every single one of them. How many times do I have to tell you? Oh please Evelyn, It's still early and I just came in and you're already talking about men. What's wrong with you?" I shunned.
"Allow me to have this life-changing conversation with you," She said.
"We've been having this same conversation every day, every time!" I fired back at her.
"Well, We're not done 'cos it hasn't changed anything yet"
"Evelyn, you seem to be forgetting that I'm older than you about five years!" I said having a tone of maturity in my voice.
"Right! Five years. You don't even have a man friend and I already do have a boyfriend....!" She said then paused instantly.
" Let...Let's just go to our seats" She suddenly stammered and walked ahead of me.
"Oh really?" I obstructed her way and stopped her from diverting away from the topic. Good thing, She brought it up.
"You are seeing someone? Who is he?" I knew she was gonna say something when her cheeks turned red and she began to blush heavily.
"I think I'm so shy right now," She said.
"Oh well, you weren't shy when you were blabbing just now"
She rolled her eyeball and then said: "Adam"
"What about him?" I asked her, confused.
"It's Adam, he asked me to be his girlfriend now then later his fiancé, and sometimes in the future, I'll become his wife. That's how he proposed to me yesterday " Evelyn crowed delightfully.
"Oh, my God! So you two had a thing for each other and I never notice? " I said even though I suspected something fishy between them lately.
"Well, I'm so happy for you" I hugged her sincerely.
"So back to you Rita, are you ready to find real love?" Evelyn resumed her love sermon.
I rolled my eyes and hissed. I'm trying to; Love doesn't just go my way.
"Stop speaking to me like you're older Evelyn!" Now I tried to change the topic.
"Sorry," She grumbled.
"Hmmm, alright," I said, arranging the littered makeover equipment into their cases and bags.
"So Adam and I went on our first date last night. It was a sweet long night"
"Uhm. I see the reason why you both weren't active on Kikachat last night" I responded.
"Oh sorry about that, I know your single-ass was so bored last night," Evelyn said and I hissed. "Could you please cover up for me? I heard from the receptionist that Mrs. Blakeston wouldn't be around throughout today and I… I want to spend the whole day with Adam"
I smirked jealously.
"Uh, I was thinking of spending the whole day here with you but of course, you could come over to my side instead; every wish way" Adam overheard as he walked towards us.
"Oh! There you are darling" Evelyn ran towards him and gave Adam a tight hug and a mushy kiss on his cheek.
They intertwined arms and stood right in front of me like I'm a parent, waiting to permit them to go out together.
"Oh my God, you two look so compatible together. Just go, have fun" I permitted them.
"Before you even say" Evelyn responded rudely and I rolled my eyes.
"However, what I meant by cover up for me includes helping me attend to my clients"
"You want me to do your work for you too?"
"You can just send the clients away then, the company's loss not mine" She replied and Adam laughed but I shook my head.
"Bet it, I'm gonna make you run down here like Cinderella who left her prince charming in the middle of the night" I pulled her legs as I watched her and her boyfriend laugh and exit.
I sighed heavily and smiled nevertheless. Although Evelyn could be so annoying she has this interesting vibe that I can't resist.
I thought of what being in a relationship with someone you love felt like. I really wanna experience this feeling of love again, I do crave this mushy lovey dovey stuff too.
I huffed, feeling lonely but I quickly snapped out of it by shoving out my cell phone and a pair of earpieces. I Thrust the earpieces into my phone and began to listen to some cool music instead. This helped to kill boredom and all these sad thoughts while I await the arrival of customers.
"Hmm, melodious!" I hummed the song, nodding my head in rhythm to the soft tune.
I wanted to click on the Kikachat app but I suddenly remember last night's conversation with a total stranger.
She probably must have sent me a lot of messages; Janet whatever her name is. Never have I ever met a nosy old woman before, Ugh!
I glared at my phone screen instead, doing absolutely nothing but enjoying the music playing from it.
"Hey, Hello" I heard a muscular voice only after he removed one earpiece from my left ear.
"Oh sorry?" I said to him.
"I had to do it since you didn't hear me call you several times," He said referring to the action he just took ~(Removing my earpiece)
"It's nothing," I said, removing the other one from my right ear and pausing the music.
"How may I help you?"
"I'm a new customer here and I do not seem to get where the male saloon department is located," He said.
"Oh, just follow the stairs right there," I said, pointing at a corner where there was a staircase.
"Okay. Thanks, I'll do just that" He said and then began to walk away.
I watched him only to make sure he was going right away. Just after he took some steps, he suddenly stopped walking and turned to look at me. He smiled widely, I wondered why.
"Your earpiece, continue with the music" He gesticulated.
"Oh!" I nodded awkwardly and stopped glaring at him.
But through the corner of my eyes, I could still see him staring at me.
He better not be falling for me at first sight 'cause that's what men say. Jared still occupies my heart, it's not easy to forget my first love.
*******
To Be Continued